The Effects of Electronic Media on Children
Media on Children 1
The Effects of Electronic Media on Children
Feng Sai
Guided Research 110A
Teacher: Maurice Williams
November 10, 2010
Media on Children 2
Introduction
Children now have much easier access to media than ever before—and to a much wider variety of content of the media. Researchers have shown that, until the late 18th century, there had been no attempts at developing media specifically aimed at children (Dumitru, 2010). There were a few healthy books for adults to choose that children enjoyed reading, such as Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver 's Travels; all of the books were easy to read and understand, but no one book was written with a child 's emotional level at that time. Until the 18th century, children and adults could read the same texts: the Bible, chapbooks and very few newspapers. But later, there were more books and newspapers coming out. These kinds of books deal with subjects such as poverty, disease, and death, as well as drunkenness, and sexuality. The newspapers contained political and military news, as well as very sad news such as terrifying natural disasters. The increasing kinds of media in children’s lives affect their communicative skills. Children acquire video games, personal computers, internet, and cell phones at a younger age than before. Surveys indicate that about 82% of children are online by 7th grade and experience about 6.5 hours per day of over media exposure. (Dumitru, 2010). Media influence on children has increased when more types of media have been developed. There are many beneficial influences on children, such as learning and remembering knowledge easier, for example, they can learn from movies; saving time to experience something and discussing social events. However, we should pay more attention to negative effects, such as violent behavior between classmates, deterioration in a physical health because of lack of physical activities and withdrawal into an unreal world without
The Effects of Electronic Media on Children
Feng Sai
Guided Research 110A
Teacher: Maurice Williams
November 10, 2010
Media on Children 2
Introduction
Children now have much easier access to media than ever before—and to a much wider variety of content of the media. Researchers have shown that, until the late 18th century, there had been no attempts at developing media specifically aimed at children (Dumitru, 2010). There were a few healthy books for adults to choose that children enjoyed reading, such as Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver 's Travels; all of the books were easy to read and understand, but no one book was written with a child 's emotional level at that time. Until the 18th century, children and adults could read the same texts: the Bible, chapbooks and very few newspapers. But later, there were more books and newspapers coming out. These kinds of books deal with subjects such as poverty, disease, and death, as well as drunkenness, and sexuality. The newspapers contained political and military news, as well as very sad news such as terrifying natural disasters. The increasing kinds of media in children’s lives affect their communicative skills. Children acquire video games, personal computers, internet, and cell phones at a younger age than before. Surveys indicate that about 82% of children are online by 7th grade and experience about 6.5 hours per day of over media exposure. (Dumitru, 2010). Media influence on children has increased when more types of media have been developed. There are many beneficial influences on children, such as learning and remembering knowledge easier, for example, they can learn from movies; saving time to experience something and discussing social events. However, we should pay more attention to negative effects, such as violent behavior between classmates, deterioration in a physical health because of lack of physical activities and withdrawal into an unreal world without
References: Coyl, D. D. (2009, February). Kids really are different these days. Phi Delta Kappan, 90, 404- 407. Dumitru, G. (2010). Socio-psychological impact of media on children. Petroleum – gas university of Ploiesti bulletin, Educational sciences series, 62, 65-69. Gentile, D. A. (2003). Media violence and children: a complete guide for parents and professionals. Westport, CT : Praeger. JAMA. (2009, June 3). Can your child’s health be negatively affected by media? ScienceDaily, 12, 9-10. Miller, K. (2010). Children and the entertainment industry. Detroit : Greenhaven Press. Steyer, J. P. (2007, September). Your child’s media diet. Scholastic parent and child. 15, 78-79.